Promoting Open and Informed Town, State and National Government

Meet Your Candidates

Over fifty Haddam Democrats unanimously approved a slate of 22 candidates for their November ticket at the Caucus on July 18th. Sean Moriarty was nominated for the First Selectman position and former First Selectman Melissa Schlag and incumbent Sean Donlan for second or third seats on the Board of Selectmen.

Others running for office are Scott Brooks for Town Clerk, Brenda Buzzi, Gerry Matthews for Board of Education, Mark Lundgren and Steve Bayley for Board of Finance, Melissa Talevi for Board of Finance Alternate, Ralph Livieri, Gina Block, Mike Farina, and Peter Baird for Planning and Zoning, Robert Braren and Diane Stock for Planning and Zoning Alternate, Jason Esteves and Paul White for Zoning Board of Appeals, Aubrey Bingham and Jessica Labbe for Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate, Aubrey Bingham for Tax Collector, Judy Goldfarb and Tanja Moriarty for Board of Assessment Appeals.

Slate Update: As of August 23, 2017, Sean Donlan has withdrawn from the race as selectman candidate due to his busy law practice, family obligations, and volunteer activities. Eliska Bayley has also withdrawn as candidate for the Board of Education due to family obligations. We thank thank for them for their continued commitment to Haddam and the HDTC and look forward to supporting them in future endeavors.

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My family and I have lived in Haddam for 15 years, and we have raised two children in town, one of whom still attends HK schools. For the last ten years, I have worked as a social and healthy policy researcher for a company called MDRC, evaluating ways to improve employment programs for veterans and … Continue reading Peter Baird for Planning and Zoning Commission

Brenda Buzzi is a “townie” having lived in Higganum most of her life. Like her mother, Brenda attended the town schools. She graduated from Haddam-Killingworth High School in 1984. Her two daughters also graduated from HKHS also and are now both attending graduate school. Brenda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Brenda’s entire career has been … Continue reading Brenda Buzzi for Board of Education

Melissa Salafia Talevi was born in Middletown and moved to Higganum in 1982. After graduating from Mercy High School in 1977, she followed a path to accounting. She has worked as such in many different industries-general contractors, restaurant, photographer, CPA and an advertising agency. She then opened her very own accounting business Checks + Balances … Continue reading Melissa Talevi for Board of Finance Alternate

Tanja Buzzi Moriarty has lived in Higganum section of Haddam for most all of her life. She is an alum of the H-K school system, Class of 1983. She and her husband Sean raised two children who also attended H-K schools. A work-at-home desktop publisher when her kids were small, Tanja then became a successful … Continue reading Tanja Moriarty for Assessment Board of Appeals

My name is Michael Farina, a candidate for Planning and Zoning Commission in the Town of Haddam, this coming Election Day. My extended family has lived in Haddam for generations. After a long career elsewhere, and retirement, I chose to live here because of the natural amenities, active social live and proximity to good transportation. … Continue reading Mike Farina for Planning and Zoning Commission

“As a new mother, I am more focused on the future of Haddam than ever. After falling in love with Haddam, my husband and I moved to town eight years ago and renovated our historic home in the center of Higganum. In an effort to give back to the town, I would like to serve … Continue reading Gina Block for Planning and Zoning Commission

I am interested in serving on Planning and Zoning to preserve the rural character of Haddam, Higganum and Haddam Neck; to do what I can to encourage the use of green technologies in future developments; to encourage ongoing efforts to clean up our groundwater, river and soil, and to participate in thoughtful discussions about development. Diane … Continue reading Diane Stock for Planning and Zoning Commission, Alternate

My wife and I moved from a condominium in Cromwell to Haddam in October of 2011 because we wanted to raise our young family in a rural town with charm and a great school system. I grew up in Middletown and my wife grew up in East Haddam and we both knew how great a … Continue reading Steve Bayley for Board of Finance

My name is Ralph Livieri, and I am running for the Planning and Zoning Commission. I have lived in Higganum for more than sixteen years. I am a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law, and have been an attorney for thirty years, during which much of my practice has focused on real … Continue reading Ralph Livieri for Planning and Zoning Commission

I am Mark Lundgren and I am running for the Board of Finance. I am proud to be on the Moriarty / Schlag Team along with fellow BoF candidate Steve Bayley. We are not the only fiscal conservatives on this great team. Kathy and I have lived in Haddam for forty-five years, our son is a successful … Continue reading Mark Lundgren, Board of Finance

My name is Paul White. I have been a resident of Haddam since 2005. I have a son in the wonderful Haddam-Killingworth school system. While I am originally from Niantic, I have never felt more at home than I do here in Haddam! I graduated from East Lyme High School more years in the past … Continue reading Paul White for Zoning Board of Appeals

My wife and I have lived in Haddam for more than 26 years and have raised our three daughters here. Now, one of my daughters has two children of her own. My grandsons will benefit from our beautiful town. We decided to settle in Haddam because of its excellent school system and rural setting. As … Continue reading Jason Esteves, Zoning Board of Appeals

My name is Scott Brookes and I am running for re-election as Town Clerk. I am a life time Haddam resident as is my wife Audrey. Our blended family consists of four adult children, all graduates of the H-K education system. I have a bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College, Manchester New Hampshire. I am retired … Continue reading Scott Brookes for Town Clerk

Judy Goldfarb currently serves on the Board of Assessment Appeals, balancing tax fairness of our citizens with the needs of the town. She has attended several workshops to hone her skills in doing this challenging work. Her previous work as a child and family advocate has given her the experience of listening carefully that she applies to … Continue reading Judy Goldfarb for Board of Assessment Appeals

As a young, life-long resident of Haddam, Jessica wants to give back to the community that has given so much to her and others. She brings a young perspective to the zoning board of appeals, and will foster conversations about what Haddam should look like now and in the future. Jessica believes that balancing aesthetics and business growth … Continue reading Jessica Labbe for Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate

Robert is a registered architect with over 32 years of experience on a wide range of project types from residential, retail, mixed-use, municipal and public schools to transportation. He has served on the planning and zoning commission for four years and the last year on the HKHS building committee. Robert’s professional background and experience provide him with … Continue reading Robert Braren for Planning and Zoning Alternate

My name is Gerry Matthews, and I’ve lived in Haddam for thirty-six years. I am proud of my two grown children and four talented, good-looking grandchildren, all of whom accompanied me in running the Haddam Neck 5K road race this Labor Day weekend where I came in first in my age division. I have served … Continue reading Gerry Matthews, Board of Education